Pensioners facing a winter of misery

This winter as many as 25,000 older people could die needlessly because of the cold. Age UK have found that is about 200 preventable deaths a day.

As many as 25,000 older people could die because of the cold Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire

During the winter, isolation can intensify having an adverse effect on physical and mental well-being and some studies prove that feelings of loneliness can this can be equivalent to well-established risk factors such as obesity and smoking.

The colder weather brings with it a massive increase in associated health problems for older people including heart attacks and strokes, respiratory problems, pneumonia and depression.